College of Education

 

Anna E. McEwan, Dean
Wills Hall 213, Station 6360
telephone: (205) 665-6360
fax: (205) 665-6337
e-mail: mcewanae@montevallo.edu

Robyn Hagler, Director
Teacher Education Services
Wills Hall 203, Station 6352
telephone: (205) 665-6352
fax: (205) 665-6353
e-mail: haglerr@montevallo.edu

Mission

The mission of the College of Education is to promote the continuing professional development of students who have made a commitment to service/careers in education, family and child studies, dietetics, health promotion, and retail merchandising. The College accepts as its primary role the preparation of professionals who are characterized by their responsibility for making decisions in the context of the world of practice and by their increasing ability to make wise and informed decisions based on sound knowledge, skills, and practical experience.

Through the orchestrated interaction of and engagement with professional literature, classroom activities, and clinical experiences, students are expected to become increasingly skilled in five major areas:

• knowledge of self,
• knowledge of diverse learners or clients and communities,
• knowledge of subject matter/curriculum or specialty area,
• knowledge of instruction, technology or other service-delivery systems, and
• knowledge of pedagogy and/or professional practice.

The use of research related to effective teaching and learning is an integral part of all professional education programs.

Programs

Note: The College of Education is undergoing a reorganization of the administrative oversight of its programs. Because the reorganization will be phased in over a period of time, it will not be fully reflected in this Bulletin.

The College of Education offers degree programs in Elementary Education, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Kinesiology. It also provides professional education courses necessary to meet teacher certification requirements for students who are preparing to teach at the P–12 and Secondary School levels. In addition, the College offers the following add-on certification: K–6 Collaborative Teacher added to Elementary Education. Students may earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Education. Students who complete teacher certification at UM are designated “Highly Qualified” under the provisions of the federal legislation titled “No Child Left Behind.” All teacher preparation programs are fully aligned with the Alabama Quality Teaching Standards.

Accreditation

The College is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and has been conditionally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Teacher Education Program (TEP) has been approved by the Alabama State Department of Education on the basis of National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification standards.

In compliance with the requirements of Title II of the Higher Education Act, the University of Montevallo reports that the State of Alabama presently administers the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test for undergraduate students seeking initial teacher certification, and Praxis II, a state-mandated test to evaluate content knowledge in the chosen teaching field(s). Successful completion of both tests is required for Alabama teacher certification.

The College of Education enrolled 355 initial-certification seeking undergraduate and graduate students during the 2007–2008 academic year, with 129 students in programs of supervised student teaching/internship. The student faculty ratio for supervised student teaching was 3.68:1. Student teaching involves 16 weeks at 40 hours per week, for a total of 640 clock hours.

A copy of the University’s most-recent annual report may be obtained from the University’s website (under “Notices” in the “Administration” category) or by requesting it from the Office of the Dean of Education, Station 6360.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP)

Education courses are designed for prospective teachers and may be taken as general electives only with special permission by the Dean of the College. A student who plans to become a candidate for a teaching certificate must be admitted to the TEP. An application for admission may be obtained in the Office of Teacher Education Services, Wills 207.

Criteria for admission to the TEP include the following:

• An application for admission must be submitted during the semester in which 60 credit hours of college study are completed. At least 48 (36 MUS) of the 60 hours must be in General Education courses (core requirements) to be eligible for admission.
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5, based on a 4.0 scale, on college study attempted (in general studies, the teaching field(s), and professional studies) must have been attained at the time of admission.
• Effective Fall 2003, students, including transfers, in Elementary Education or Elementary Education with an endorsement in K–6 Collaborative Teacher must earn a minimum grade of C in all general-studies courses for admission to the TEP.
• A grade of C or better in a communication studies performance course must have been attained.
• A team interview with selected faculty members must have been completed successfully. Instructions for these interviews are located in the Teacher Education Handbook and can be obtained from the Office of TES. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule an interview with the Office of TES. Eligibility criteria are listed in the Undergraduate TEP Handbook.
• Introduction to Teaching (ED 401) must be completed with a grade of C or better. Music Education students should have completed MUS 401.
• A grade of C or better in ENG 101 and 102 must be attained.
• Successful completion of the Applied Math, Reading for Information, and Writing portions of the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test (APTT).

Those who do not satisfy the noted requirements may be allowed to continue further study but are not eligible to enroll in courses designated as “TEP restricted.” Study may be permitted in a limited number of professional education courses (depending on the program) prior to TEP admission. A conference with an adviser prior to enrolling in any Education course is required.

The interview with selected faculty may be attempted up to a maximum of three times. The ED 401 and MUS 401 courses may be repeated once and only at Montevallo. Except in cases of doctor-verified illness, a withdrawal counts as an attempt. The English composition and speech course may be repeated as University policy permits.

The Teacher Education Handbook, published by the Office of Teacher Education Services each fall, describes more specifically the current TEP requirements. Copies may be downloaded from the Office of Teacher Education Services web page at www.montevallo.edu/tes/tep.shtm.

Retention and completion requirements

Advising is essential for successful completion of the TEP. Portions of the program are mandated by the State of Alabama for teacher certification and other portions are required by the University for graduation. Students planning to enter the TEP should consult with an adviser upon entering Montevallo to have a program of study prepared. Any variation from the program without written permission of the Dean will result in failure to receive certification.

Study in the TEP is limited to four years. Requests for extensions of this time limit must be reviewed by the Dean of the College. Extensions may result in additional coursework.

A minimum GPA of 2.5 (in general studies, the teaching field(s), and professional studies) must be maintained while studying in the TEP. All professional education and teaching-field courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C for certification. Courses in professional studies and the teaching field(s) may be repeated only once and must be repeated at Montevallo. Admission and retention in the TEP is required to repeat TEP-restricted courses. Except in cases of doctor-verified illness, a withdrawal counts as an attempt. In addition, all Elementary Education and Elementary Education with an endorsement in K–6 Collaborative Teacher students must earn a minimum grade of C in each general-studies course for retention in the TEP.

Successful completion of an internship, during which readiness to teach is demonstrated, is required. A minimum GPA of 2.5 (in general studies, the teaching field(s), and professional studies), based on all work attempted, and other requirements, must be satisfied to be eligible for an internship. Applications are available in the Office of Teacher Education Services in Wills 207.

Upon completion of the TEP, a bachelor’s degree in an approved program, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (general studies, teaching field(s), and professional studies), and either a portfolio or a passing score on a comprehensive assessment over the content of the teaching field(s) and of professional education are required. Elementary Education and Elementary Education with an endorsement in K–6 Collaborative Teacher majors must complete all general-studies courses with a minimum grade of C for completion of the TEP. Information about these assessments is available in the departments.

All candidates for initial teacher certification must meet the requirements of the Alabama Prospective Teacher Testing Program. One requirement is a passing score on the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test. Effective with the Fall Semester 2005, the Praxis II content knowledge test is also a requirement for certification. Individuals who complete a teacher education or instructional support preparation program and apply for initial certification in that teaching field or area of instructional support must also submit proof of having met Alabama’s minimum passing score requirement on the Praxis II test appropriate to the area for which certification is sought. These requirements for certification have been established by the Alabama State Board of Education.

General Education requirements for the Teacher Education Program

Alabama teacher certification requires completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours in the General Education Credit Hour Requirements section of the Academic Programs and Policies page. Completion of the TEP includes General Education requirements with the following additional stipulations:

Mathematics

Elementary Education requires MATH 144, 147, 160, and 162. Four courses (for a minimum of 12 hours) in mathematics are required.

Computer Applications

Instructional Technology (ED 447) is required.

Natural Sciences

Elementary Education requires 3 courses in science (for a minimum of 12 hours), including at least one laboratory course and courses representative of at least two branches of science.

Elementary Education requires a minimum of 12 hours in English/Language Arts (ENG 101, 102, 231, and 232). A minimum of 12 hours in Social Science (Economics, Geography, History, or Political Science) courses is also required.

Students should attend all scheduled meetings with the adviser regarding professional education requirements.

Courses of study for teacher certification

The University offers teacher-education programs leading to Alabama Class B (initial) certification in the following areas:

• Elementary Education (K–6) (K–6 only for 1999 and subsequent programs)
• Elementary/Collaborative Education (K–6)
• Secondary Education (6–12) (French, Spanish, and Family and Consumer Sciences only)
• Kinesiology and Music (grades P–12)
• Special Education: Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (grades P–12)

Requirements for each of the Class B programs are described in the appropriate departmental sections of this Bulletin. A list of Class B requirements is also available from academic advisers or from the Office of Teacher Education Services.

The Alabama Class B certificate validity period is five years. Students should direct questions to the Office of Teacher Education Services. Students have five years after the program completion date to apply for certification.

Preschool through 12th grade

“Preschool through 12th grade” (P–12) refers to certification for all grades, including preschool (P) and kindergarten (K). At the Class B initial certification level, these programs are:

• Music (instrumental and choral)
• Kinesiology

Students planning to receive certification in any of these areas are advised by faculty in the individual departments. Individual curriculum areas are listed in this Bulletin.

Special education

The program leading to Class B certification (P–12) in special education is Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Advising is handled by the Department of Communication Science and Disorders in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Refer to the Department of Communication Science and Disorders page for further information.

Certification in more than one teaching field

For certification in two teaching fields at one level, it is necessary to complete the requirements of each teaching field, the appropriate professional studies, and the appropriate internship in each teaching field. With each additional teaching field, it is necessary to complete the program requirements of that field and an additional 16-week internship.

Certification at more than one teaching level

To prepare for certification in one level and obtain a Class B certificate in an adjacent level, e.g., K–6 and 6–12, or non-adjacent level, e.g., P–3 and 6–12, it is necessary to complete the requirements of the certification field being pursued and complete a 16-week internship at that level.

Clinical experiences

The College of Education, in cooperation with selected school systems, has developed a comprehensive program of clinical experiences in a variety of school and community settings as an integral part the professional-studies program. These experiences require involvement in schools and agencies outside the University. Transportation is the responsibility of the student.

Education internships

The internship is a full-time assignment, e.g., 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., for a full term. Observation and teaching at the appropriate grade level or levels under the direction of a public school teacher and a University supervisor occurs. Participation in activities or courses that interfere with the internship is not allowed.

There is a “no-cut” policy for interns; unexcused absences from the assigned school or seminars are not permitted, and each absence results in a letter-grade reduction for the course. Any excused absences in excess of two must be made up for successful completion of the internship. Excessive absences will delay completion of the internship, graduation, and certification. All internships will be completed in one semester. The University’s incomplete policy will be strictly adhered to in cases where internships are not completed.

To qualify for an internship, a minimum GPA of 2.5 on all study attempted in general studies, as well as in each teaching field and in professional education courses, is required. It is necessary to have been admitted to the TEP and have attained senior status with the required minimum number of semester hours completed. Effective Fall 2007, a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II content knowledge exam is required for all candidates to be eligible for the internship. Additional requirements include a grade of C or better in professional studies and teaching-field courses, as well as completion of required courses. Elementary Education and Elementary Education with an endorsement in Collaborative Teacher students must earn a minimum grade of C in all general-studies courses to be eligible for the internship.